136 Childhood Friend

The grand marriage hall bustled with attendees, their merry conversations filling the air. The wedding ceremony was grand and people still couldn't get enough of the celebration.

Amidst the attendees was the High Captain, Jiang and his family. 

He stood tall, every bit the influential figure that his reputation painted him as. 

Celia, his wife, stood by his side. Her red hair, cascading to her neck, contrasted against her delicate pale red gown, and her green eyes shimmered with unspoken emotions. 

Surrounding them were their three sons. Muxan and Luxan were engrossed in their own conversations while sneaking away to get a good look at the beauties while feeling jealous of the guy who married the princess.

But Xulan stood out, lost in his thoughts, his eyes distant and face a shade paler than usual.

Celia leaned in to Jiang, her voice a gentle whisper, filled with concern, "We should leave, husband. The ceremony is over."

As she spoke, her eyes darted towards Xulan, understanding the emotional storm he must be weathering, watching his childhood friend, the woman he adored, marry another, "Xulan..." her heart ached for her youngest.

As his mother, how could she not know whom Xulan loved and wanted to marry. But unfortunately fate seemed to be against him, suddenly getting Olivia married to a man none of them never heard of before.

Xulan, despite the whirlwind of emotions threatening to consume him, forced his eyes to linger on the newlyweds, especially Olivia. Her laughter, her radiant joy was a stark contrast to the void he felt. 

He wanted to leave, to escape from the sight that tormented him, but the weight of his father's stern command earlier that day held him rooted to the spot for he had to keep up appearances.

But to see her happy like this, left him feeling even more distressed. She always dreaded getting married to a stranger but it seems like she was truly happy. If she was, then he should be feeling happy for her but he couldn't.

Seeing her in the embrace of another man made him feel like something was being ripped within his chest.

Jiang's sharp voice cut through Celia's gentle one, "Nonsense. How can we leave before the newly-weds?" He looked around, his gaze sharp, "Besides, I must introduce myself to the Empress's right hand. This could be the most important opportunity in my life."

Almost as if summoned, Bai Ling, tall and undeniably charismatic, began walking towards them. Jiang leaned in, whispering firmly, "Put on your best smile, Celia. Here comes Bai Ling. You never really tried but this time I want you to make sure he takes a liking to you."

Celia sighed softly but lifted her face, forcing a warm smile. 

But as her eyes met Bai Ling's, she felt a peculiar sensation. Those dark, deep-set eyes seemed to penetrate right through her, reading her very essence. She momentarily lost herself in that gaze as if those eyes could see through every inch of her soul.

"Greetings, Captain Jiang. I have heard much about you," Bai Ling said, his voice rich and smooth, breaking Celia's trance.

Jiang nodded, his posture stiff, "And I of you. But please, you can just call me Jiang."

Celia bowed gracefully, her maternal instincts still on high alert, sensing her youngest son's discomfort. Xulan too managed a stiff bow, his thoughts swirling with myriad emotions, battling the happiness for his childhood friend and his own shattered heart.

Bai Ling's gaze slowly shifted from Jiang to rest upon Celia. There was a depth in his eyes that Celia struggled to comprehend, "Is this beautiful lady your wife, Captain Jiang?" Bai Ling inquired, his voice smooth, the hint of a smile playing on his lips.

Jiang grinned and could see that Celia already caught Bai Ling's eye, "Indeed she is. Meet Celia, the light of my household." He then pointed to Xulan, who looked like he was trying hard to maintain a neutral expression. "And this is my youngest, Xulan."

As he began looking around for Muxan and Luxan, Jiang clicked his tongue in mild irritation. "Those two..." he chuckled awkwardly, "always running off to some mischief or another. I'll introduce them to you some other time."

Bai Ling smiled gracefully, not missing a beat. "It's perfectly fine." His eyes, however, never left Celia. "It's truly a pleasure to meet you… Celia. Oh forgive my manners, Lady Celia."

Celia felt a shiver run down her spine, something about the way Bai Ling addressed her felt oddly familiar, yet unsettling. She offered a polite smile, "It's alright, Lord Bai. You can call me Celia."

Jiang couldn't stop grinning seeing that Bai Ling was already falling for Celia. He felt he had to give her charms more credit than he thought.

Bai Ling shifted his attention to Xulan, his eyes taking in the young man's features with evident amusement. "Captain Jiang, Celia," he began, a sublte smile playing on his lips, "You have a fine young man here as your son. Quite the handsome one. I've heard of him through Olivia who says he is her childhood friend."

Bai Ling looked at Celia and went on, "You and your son can rest assured that his close friend is in good hands. I can't wait to make her even happier."

Xulan's pale face went even paler, his hands slightly trembling while trying hard to maintain his forced smile.

Celia's heart ached for her son but couldn't even say anything. 

Bai Ling leaned in slightly, his voice dripping with concern, "Xulan, you should definitely go and have a chat with Olivia. After all, it would be a shame if the princess felt her dearest childhood friend had nothing to say to her on her wedding day."

Celia tried to step in, her voice soft but firm, "Actually, it's fine. He can-"

However, she was abruptly cut off by Jiang's boisterous laughter. 

Slapping Xulan's back, Jiang interjected, "Ha! Lord Bai speaks the truth! Go, son. Offer the princess your warmest wishes."

With a heavy heart and a nod, Xulan murmured, "Y-Yes, father," and trudged away, every step weighed down by his emotions.

"Such sweet friendship is something I dearly miss," Bai Ling before shifting his gaze towards Celia and asking with a smile, "Is that the same for you, Celia? I am sure you must have had at least one childhood friend, right?"

Celia's eyes quivered as memories she had tried to bury unearthed itself in her mind, her fingers tightly clutching the sides of her dress.

"Haha, of course she had," Jiang laughed and sneered, "But he was a bastard who abandoned her when she needed him the most."

Celia's gaze shifted to the side as her fingers curled up.

Bai Ling raised his brows slightly as he kept looking at Celia, "Oh, I feel sorry for you, Celia. But I wonder what made him abandon you. A nice and kind lady like you couldn't have hurt him or anyone, right?"

Celia slowly looked up at Bai Ling but she didn't know why she couldn't muster the strength to answer him under his gaze.

"Of course, not," Jiang scoffed as he placed his arm around Celia's shoulder and said with a grin, "Ask anyone around here and they will say my wife is the kindest soul ever. She even helps poor orphans every day even though I told her she can do better things with her time."

"You are very kind indeed, Celia. That childhood friend of yours deserves death for leaving you," Bai Ling said with a narrowed gaze.

Celia took a deep breath and nodded with a pleasant smile, "Thank you for your kind words, Lord Bai. But I have long since forgotten about him and he isn't worth thinking about," Celia said, her tone firm as she locked her gaze with this.

"I see," Bai Ling nodded slowly, though a dark light flashed across his eyes briefly.

Turning his attention back to Jiang, Bai Ling spoke in a more serious tone, "Well, I've some matters of importance to discuss with you. Would you be available now? It should only take a few minutes."

Jiang, who had been waiting for an opportunity like this, grinned, "Of course, Lord Bai. Let's speak in private."

He then turned to Celia, his voice dismissive, "Wait here. I'll return shortly."

Bai Ling and Jiang departed, leaving Celia with a swirl of emotions - concern for her son and a creeping sensation about this man named Bai Ling. Something about him was creeping into her mind.

But her eyes flickered upon feeling someone's gaze on her. Turning her head, she pressed her lips together to see Nadia staring at her with a indifferent look.